The Horrors of Alcohol Induced Dementia

There are more consequences to long term drinking than just alcohol withdrawal syndrome and long term liver damage. Long term drinking also causes alcohol induced dementia. Once thought to be Alzheimer’s or ordinary dementia, many people are exposed to this danger every time they drink. It is an insidious disease that might show up in early life or wait until later in life to show up. If you are an alcoholic and cannot stop drinking, you put yourself at grave risk of this devastating disease.

What is Alcohol Induced Dementia?

According to the National Library of Medicine, alcohol induced dementia is a brain disease that starts happening as soon as you start drinking. It is the gradual death of brain tissue as you consume alcohol. Since alcohol directly impacts the brain many people do not understand that this impact is devastating to the brain. The same lack of judgment, giddiness, and lack of inhibitions that makes alcohol fun to some is turning your brain against you.

It slowly destroys the neurons that results in a pattern of brain death that is almost like other dementia disorders. This usually starts happening earlier than traditional dementia.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Induced Dementia

The signs are subtle at first and then gradually move into full blown dementia. As more people are affected by it, doctors learn more about it. It was once mistaken for regular age dementia or early onset dementia but now they know that it is an actual disorder itself. The symptoms are:

inability to learn new things

cognitive deficits

memory loss

damage to short term memory

ability to seem perfectly fine with some things and inept at others

nerve damage

nerve dysfunction

The nerve damage is normally due to the lack of vitamins and minerals that is seen in many people with long term alcoholism.

How can you Tell Someone is Suffering from Alcohol Induced Dementia?

The outward signs of alcohol induced dementia are not always apparent but some people report:

frustration

paranoia

unstable moods

anger

personality changes

irritability

fear of being alone

inability to do simple familiar tasks

inability to make decisions

inability to start or complete a task or project

general disorientation

not recognizing relatives or friends

extreme memory loss

neglect of appearance

loss of inhibitions

These signs get worse as the disease goes on until the person is unable to care for themselves. Most people with alcohol induced dementia end up living their lives out in Alzheimer’s wards or nursing homes.

How to Find Help for Alcoholism Before the Symptoms of Alcohol Induced Dementia Set In

You can stop alcohol induced dementia by seeking help for your alcoholism before the disease starts. With the right treatment program, you can significantly decrease your chances of winding up with this terrible condition. For more information on seeking treatment before it is too late call 800-839-1686.

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